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Josh Williams advises clients across a range of complex international regulatory and public policy matters. Mr. Williams has particular expertise in economic sanctions programs administered by the Treasury Department and State Department and export control regulations administered by the State Department, Commerce Department, and Census Bureau, as well as deep experience representing clients in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations.

Advises numerous international companies on compliance with US economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, and Syria.

Represented a global energy company in an investigation regarding compliance with US economic sanctions against Iran and Cuba. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) agreed to close the matter without taking any enforcement action.

Represented major defense contractor in an investigation regarding compliance with US export controls arising from exports to the Middle East. The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) agreed that no violations occurred, and closed the matter without taking further enforcement action or imposing penalties.

Advised clients in the aerospace and energy industries on the establishment of export controls compliance programs.

Represents a major consumer products company in an ongoing government investigation regarding compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Pro Bono

Represents a prominent not-for-profit corporation that supports democratic institutions and practices around the world.

Served as guardian ad litem for a minor child in a custody dispute in D.C. Superior Court.

Previous Experience

Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs (2009-2010)

Legislative Aide to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (2006-2008)

Junior Fellow and Research Assistant for Nonproliferation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2004-2006)

The Trump Administration yesterday completed the reimposition of sanctions against Iran that previously were suspended as part of the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”).

In furtherance of President Trump’s May 8, 2018 announcement that the United States is withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) (discussed in our recent alert), on June 27 the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced several changes to the U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Administration Also Revises Russia Sanctions, Terminates Most Sudan Sanctions On October 13, President Trump announced that he would no longer certify to Congress that the suspension of U.S. sanctions against Iran pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) is “appropriate and proportionate” to the steps that Iran has taken to terminate its ...

On October 13, President Trump announced that he would no longer certify to Congress that
the suspension of U.S. sanctions against Iran pursuant to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (“JCPOA”) is “appropriate and proportionate” to the steps that Iran has taken to terminate
its illicit nuclear program. The President’s much-anticipated announcement does not ...

Congress has passed and sent to President Trump, for his signature or veto, a bill that would
impose significant new sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The legislation—the
Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act—enjoys broad bipartisan support,
having passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 25 by a vote of 419-3, and the ...

On Friday, June 16, 2017, President Donald J. Trump announced a tightening of the United States’ long-standing Cuba embargo, rolling back some of the easing implemented during the Obama Administration and described in our prior client alerts. The Trump Administration’s approach is outlined in a National Security Presidential Memorandum, but the full scope of ...

In response to “positive actions” taken by the Government of Sudan over the past six months, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced today an amendment to the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (“SSR,” 31 C.F.R. Part 538) that effectively suspends virtually all of the U.S. sanctions against Sudan by authorizing ...

On January 16, 2016, the United States and the European Union (“EU”) significantly eased their sanctions against Iran, following verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (“IAEA”) that Iran had carried out its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”), the multilateral agreement signed in mid-July 2015 in which Iran agreed ...

There are no changes in the application of US sanctions against Iran as a result of the framework parameters regarding Tehran’s nuclear program announced on April 2. Additional sanctions relief will come only if there is a final agreement concluded among Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, Germany, and the European...… Continue ...

On July 29, the EU and United States took coordinated steps to expand sanctions targeting the Russian financial services, energy, and defense sectors, including restrictions on energy-related exports to Russia. The EU also took steps to limit certain types of trade and investment in Crimea, while both the EU and United States identified additional parties...… ...

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Covington & Burling LLP operates as a limited liability partnership worldwide, with the practice in England and Wales conducted by an affiliated
limited liability multinational partnership, Covington & Burling LLP, which is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
and authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 77071.
The practice in Johannesburg is conducted by an affiliated limited company Covington & Burling (Pty) Ltd. The practice in Dublin Ireland is through a general affiliated Irish partnership, Covington & Burling and authorized and regulated by the Law Society of Ireland with registration number F9013.